Structuralism: Theories and Concepts

A 20th-century intellectual movement that studies culture, linguistics, and the human mind through analyzing underlying structures and systems.

The abstract system of language, comprising rules, grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.

The practical, everyday use of language, including individual variations and mistakes.

A Swiss linguist who proposed key concepts for structuralism, mainly focusing on language structures.

The overall framework of linguistic rules and elements.

Concept's not directly observable; an idea of a set of rules.

How rules are applied in everyday situations.

A theory that explains language.

A theory that explains social structures.

Using the analogy of chess to illustrate the distinction between language system (rules) and its application (ways to play).

The sound or visual image that represents a concept.

The concept or meaning associated with a signifier.

There is no inherent or logical connection between a signifier and its signified.

A key figure in structuralism, applied it to anthropology.

Lévi-Strauss's work showing how kinship systems are related.

Meaning of elements is due to their relationships to other elements.

Study of structures in a present moment. Focuses on current systems.

Underlying structures are more "real" than surface-level things.

Lévi-Strauss's application of structuralism to human cultures.

Three types of signs: symbols, icons, and indexes. Each differs in its relationship to the object it represents.

A sign with an arbitrary relationship to the object it represents, like the word "cat" and the actual animal.

A sign that resembles the object it represents, like a picture of a shoe outside a shoe store.

A sign directly connected to the object, like smoke indicating a fire.

Propp identified 31 functions common to all folktales, including roles like Hero, Villain, and Donor.

The main character who overcomes challenges and achieves a goal.

A deceptive or misleading character who initially appears heroic but later reveals their true nature.

Units of meaning that represent binary oppositions, like 'light' vs. 'dark' and 'male' vs. 'female.'

Pairs of contrasting concepts that create meaning and structure in a text.

Analyzing literary texts by examining their underlying structures, including elements like signs, symbols, and character roles.

Six key roles that characters fulfill in a narrative, according to Greimas' theory: Subject/Object, Sender/Receiver, Helper/Opponent. These roles establish the core relationships and actions within the story.

Basic actions or events that form the foundation of a narrative, as proposed by Tzvetan Todorov. These propositions are the "building blocks" of the plot, showing what happens in a story.

The order in which propositions occur in a narrative, also theorized by Todorov. The arrangement of events creates a flow, tension, and meaning in a story.

The relationship between texts, where one work references or alludes to another. This creates connections and layers of meaning by drawing on already familiar ideas.

Supplementary materials that frame the main text, such as prefaces, footnotes, and illustrations. These elements provide extra context and information, shaping how readers approach the text.

The relationship of a text to its genre or style. This determines how the text is categorized and how readers interpret it.

A text discussing or analyzing another text, such as critical commentary or scholarly analysis. This involves reflecting on the message, the author's intention, or the broader context of the original text.

A text that transforms or reworks another text, including adaptations, parodies, or derivative works. This shows how texts can inspire and evolve through different interpretations.

A narrative structure that uses anticipation and tension to guide the story. It hints at what's going to happen next, creating suspense and keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.

A narrative structure that utilizes contrasts and oppositions to express deeper meanings. Themes of good vs. evil, light vs. dark, or manmade vs. natural are often explored within this framework.